Luke Rockhold to Defend Title Against Tim Kennedy at Strikeforce on July 14

Tim Kennedy will finally get another chance to capture the Strikeforce middleweight title as he faces champion Luke Rockhold in July.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed the fight for the July 14 card that is headed to Portland, Ore.

It will have been nearly a year since Kennedy last stepped into the cage when he meets Rockhold in July.

The Army Ranger has been out of action for several months after having to pass on a title shot against Rockhold in January when he suffered an elbow injury prior to the fight taking place.

Now Kennedy will finally get his chance to face Rockhold when the two meet in July.

It may have surprised some when Rockhold defeated Ronald “Jacare” Souza to capture the Strikeforce middleweight crown last September, but don’t count the longtime American Kickboxing Academy fighter among them.

Rockhold had supreme confidence in his ability to capture the belt, and then defend it as he blasted through former UFC fighter Keith Jardine in Jaunary.

Now Rockhold will face his toughest test to date in Kennedy.

Rockhold vs. Kennedy will headline the July 14 card along with several other match-ups, including the expected welterweight showdown between Nate Marquardt and Tyron Woodley.